Space created for Miller, but will he re-sign?

RAIDERS

Published 4:00 am, Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Kamerion Wimbley of the Cleveland Browns poses for his 2009 NFL headshot at photo day in Cleveland, Ohio.

Kamerion Wimbley of the Cleveland Browns poses for his 2009 NFL headshot at photo day in Cleveland, Ohio.

Photo: NFL Photos, NFL

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Oakland Raiders tight end Zach Miller (80) is upended by Tennessee Titans defender Michael Griffin (33) in the second half of their NFL football game at LP Field in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010.

Oakland Raiders tight end Zach Miller (80) is upended by Tennessee Titans defender Michael Griffin (33) in the second half of their NFL football game at LP Field in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010.

Photo: Wade Payne, AP

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Zach Miller of the Raiders hauls in a long pass for a large gain in the fourth quarter against the 49ers on Sunday at Candlestick Park.

Zach Miller of the Raiders hauls in a long pass for a large gain in the fourth quarter against the 49ers on Sunday at Candlestick Park.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Michael Crabtree catches the go-ahead touchdown at the end of the third quarter, a pass from Alex Smith on Sunday at Candlestick Park.

Michael Crabtree catches the go-ahead touchdown at the end of the third quarter, a pass from Alex Smith on Sunday at Candlestick Park.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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The Oakland Raiders Zach Miller makes a first down in the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday Oct. 10, 2010, in Oakland, Calif.

The Oakland Raiders Zach Miller makes a first down in the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday Oct. 10, 2010, in Oakland, Calif.

Photo: Lacy Atkins, The Chronicle

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GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 26: Tight end Zach Miller #80 of the Oakland Raiders catches a 22 yard touchdown reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. less

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 26: Tight end Zach Miller #80 of the Oakland Raiders catches a 22 yard touchdown reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of the NFL game at the University of ... more

Photo: Christian Petersen, Getty Images

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Oakland Raiders tight end Zach Miller, top, jumps in the arms of teammate JaMarcus Russell after Miller's 86-yard touchdown reception against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma) less

Oakland Raiders tight end Zach Miller, top, jumps in the arms of teammate JaMarcus Russell after Miller's 86-yard touchdown reception against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter of an NFL football game ... more

Photo: Paul Sakuma, AP

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Space created for Miller, but will he re-sign?

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The story in Napa on Monday was that Raiders linebacker Kamerion Wimbley signed a five-year deal worth $48 million, $29 million of it guaranteed, and gave the team room under the salary cap to try to re-sign tight end Zach Miller.

And that's a good story, as Miller was the team's leading receiver last season and a big part of any plan to improve on last season's 8-8 record. The unrestricted free agent was supposed to be set to return, but he was in Seattle talking to the Seahawks on Monday.

We can't yet tell that story. Not until we talk some more about the money. Wimbley is a very good player who had nine sacks last season for Oakland, and this quick rundown of the past six months of his contract negotiations is in no way a slight on him, simply on the wackiness of NFL accounting and how nice guys can finish first.

Back in February, the Raiders were all set to use a $3.5 million buyback option and keep Wimbley under contract for this season at just more than $4.1 million. Wimbley's agent, Joe Linta, and the NFL determined that the deal violated rules prohibiting base salaries rising more than 30 percent in a year.

So the next call came from the Raiders, telling him that instead of $4.1 million, they were going to give him $11.3 million and the franchise-player tag. (The league is cool with that.)

If you think that would be a cool phone call to get, imagine the one he got last week when the NFL lockout was over and Oakland was $10 million over the salary cap. The Raiders wanted to spread the salary-cap hit from the $11.3 million tag, and would Wimbley take more money over more years? That would be $29 million guaranteed.

So, in six months, Wimbley went from making $4.1 million to $11.3 million to $29 million guaranteed without playing a game. When the Raiders call, Wimbley runs to the phone.

"It was in my best interest and the team's best interest to try to work out something long term to try to get some players in here this year to help make us a better team," said Wimbley, now the fourth-highest-paid linebacker in the league. "I was with that. I'd just like to thank Al Davis and the Raiders' organization to allow me the opportunity to be here for more years and to give me the chance to prove myself and play for the Raiders."

But is it too late to stop Miller from signing with Seattle?

People inside the Raiders' organization thought Miller was set to re-sign once they were under the cap, but then they heard he was in Seattle visiting with coach Pete Carroll and former Raiders head coach Tom Cable, now the Seahawks' offensive-line coach. On Monday night there were reports that the two sides were close to a deal.

"Zach was a Raider last year, we want him to be a Raider now," Raiders head coach Hue Jackson said. "I feel good about where we are and, hopefully, he'll get back to us, we'll get back to him, and we'll try to get something resolved."

They'll be waiting on Miller and Wimbley now, as Wimbley can't practice again until Thursday since he is a newly signed free agent, per the new collective bargaining agreement.

The Raiders acquired Wimbley, 27, from the Browns last year in exchange for a 2010 third-round draft pick. Besides nine sacks, he also held up surprisingly well against the run.

"He is so versatile," linebacker Quentin Groves said. "He is big and athletic, can stop the run on first and second down and then rush the passer on third down.

"He is a great guy in the locker room as well. If somebody has a question, they go to Kam.

"He leads by actions and by example. He doesn't say a whole lot, but every now and then, he tries to joke around a little bit. Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy."

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